In 2004, sea turtles were once again active in the Dry Tortugas. The park possesses one of the most isolated and least disturbed habitats for endangered and threatened sea turtles in the United States. In 2004, researchers documented 196 nests and 449 false crawls within the park. Loggerhead nests were the most common type (134 nests), followed by Green (59), and Leatherback (3). The leatherback nests were the first ever reported in the park. East Key was the most active island in the park (111), followed by Loggerhead (70), Bush (11), Hospital (3), and Garden Key (1).

By instinct, nesting occurs mainly at night to better avoid predators. False crawls occur when the female abandons a nesting attempt. False crawls are common, and may occur if light or noise disturbs the turtle, if she encounters roots or debris while digging, or if she finds that the sand does not have the right consistency or moisture.

Sea turtles live in the open ocean, often traveling hundreds of miles from shore. Young turtles may spend their first dozen years drifting within clumps of sargassum weed while hiding from predators. Researchers using tags and DNA samples have located turtles in the Azores (eastern Atlantic Ocean) that were born in Florida.

Especially in the spring and summer months, at the height of the turtle nesting season, you might be lucky enough to spot one of these majestic animals in the waters of Dry Tortugas National Park!